EDIT: Also, HD space is not an issue since I will be putting in a 128GB SSD.

So I am needing to replace my old laptop since it finally died on me. I am not looking for anything crazy. Mainly web surfing and microsoft office (for school).

I recently tried an Asus k55n which had an a8-4500m which had onboard graphics (7640g). The processing power felt fast enough for what I need. I tried to play some games on it (didn't expect much), but I was able to play Team Fortress 2 and Call of Duty 4 fairly well. This would be nice to have since I do a lot of traveling for student government and hotel rooms are kind of boring .

I had to return the k55n because I absolutely hated the touch pad. The buttons were integrated with the pad which made it kind of hard to use. I am also not too fond of having the 10 key on the side (just not used to it).

The thing I like more about the HP is the fact that it does not have the 10 key so the touchpad is centered
I don't like how ugly the HP is though lol. I find that the Samsung is a much nicer looking laptop.

The thing I like more about the Samsung is the fact it has a better onboard GPU

The 3.0 ports are a plus... but nothing major. Only thing I would be using them for is transferring images from my CF cards when on the road.

If you were in my shoes which would you choose? I am leaning more towards the HP since I think I would be happier with the centered touch pad and no 10 key. My gaming would be minimal since I only travel once every three months or so and only stay away for about 3 nights. Do you think that the HD4000 and 7640G will be close in performance?

Discrete 7640m would be a good bit better than HD 4000, but it would still get the job done. Unless battery life is a concern, I'd get the Samsung. Better graphics, enough CPU (the CPU is also over/underclockable), and better build quality (if my HP dv6 and my sister's samsung are anything to go off of).

If I were you, I would wait for a haswell refresh from everyone. HD 4600 is significantly faster than HD 4000, and haswell has a ton of benefits for laptops (think battery life = smaller batteries/longer life = cheaper/smaller laptops for the money).Edited by brucethemoose - 6/18/13 at 10:56pm

Discrete 7640m would be a good bit better than HD 4000, but it would still get the job done.

If I were you, I would wait for a haswell refresh from everyone. HD 4600 is significantly faster than HD 4000, and haswell has a ton of benefits for laptops (think battery life = smaller batteries/longer life = cheaper/smaller laptops for the money).

I have not followed all the computer news for a long time . How far away is the Haswell refresh?

However, it will be a better package overall. Think adequate graphics with a CPU powerhouse in a VERY power efficient package. Hell, single-dual threaded CPU performance should be close to my 125W Phenom II X4, which is just incredible.

Indeed, haswell is already out, but manufacturers can be fast or slow to get it in machines. Apple, for example, already has haswell notebooks out. Yet my sister's Ivy Bridge based Samsung series 7 ultrabook JUST came out, even though Ivy has been around for a long time.

However, it will be a better package overall. Think adequate graphics with a CPU powerhouse in a VERY power efficient package. Hell, single-dual threaded CPU performance should be close to my 125W Phenom II X4, which is just incredible.

Indeed, haswell is already out, but manufacturers can be fast or slow to get it in machines. Apple, for example, already has haswell notebooks out. Yet my sister's Ivy Bridge based Samsung series 7 ultrabook JUST came out, even though Ivy has been around for a long time.

The intel HD 4600 scores about P1200 in 3DMARK11, and my 7670m on my Samsung scores about the same, so its definitely worth waiting for Haswell.

Discrete 7640m would be a good bit better than HD 4000, but it would still get the job done. Unless battery life is a concern, I'd get the Samsung. Better graphics, enough CPU (the CPU is also over/underclockable), and better build quality (if my HP dv6 and my sister's samsung are anything to go off of).

If I were you, I would wait for a haswell refresh from everyone. HD 4600 is significantly faster than HD 4000, and haswell has a ton of benefits for laptops (think battery life = smaller batteries/longer life = cheaper/smaller laptops for the money).

OP, almost everything said here is everything you need to know to make this decision. The only other info is that you never know when manufacturers plan to do a haswell refresh. Depending on that date and the date by which you need to computer you may want to go with the Samsung you have up there. The good thing is you can send an email to the manufacturers and ask if they plan to do a haswell refresh anytime soon and you may get lucky enough to find a manufacturer who is willing to let you know.